It’s still early – but we now have an official route for Stage 3 of the Tour de France, which will be Granollers (Spain) to Les Angles (P-O)  and while the full detailed map with every small village isn’t yet published, there is enough information to give you a clear idea if you’re planning to be around the Pyrénées-Orientales when the Tour de France passes through next summer.  

This is the first major mountain stage of the Tour, and it will be the first time the Tour finishes in Les Angles — a spectacular Pyrenean ski resort at nearly 1 800 m altitude.  

🗺️ Likely Route Through the Region (Unconfirmed this early in the year)

Here’s a good working outline based on the official stage profile and known climbs. Exact small-road traces will be finalised and mapped closer to race day (usually a few weeks before July), but this gives you a solid sense of where the race will go and where people can position themselves:  

– Granollers (start) and then through Catalan foothills

– Small towns such as Saint Feliu de Codines, Centelles, Vic and Ripoll (Catalonia) as the riders begin climbing toward the Pyrenees  

🏔 Approaching the Pyrénées-Orientales

•Planoles → Col de Toses (a notable climb near the Spanish-French border)  

•Puigcerdà — at the edge of France, a traditional Cerdagne town near the border deep in mountain country  

Once in France the route climbs toward:

– Font-Romeu — known for its altitude and training facilities  

– Col du Calvaire — one of the day’s higher points  

– Final ascent into Les Angles — where the finish line is set against panoramic mountain scenery  

While the exact kilometre-by-kilometre route map hasn’t been officially published yet, based on the known stage profile and likely approach, here are good strategic spots for spectators around the Pyrénées-Orientales:

– Finish line — the best place to see riders complete the stage. Usually a festival atmosphere with screens, music and stalls  

– These high-altitude points are dramatic vantage spots

– Great if you want to see the breakaways or climbing efforts

(Not confirmed but logically close to the line of travelEspace Cambre d’Aze

– Bolquère

– Formiguères

– Station de ski de la Molina / Puigcerdà area (before the border)  

(Exact route maps with access roads and closures will be published official by letour.fr weeks before the event.)

– Look for a detailed interactive stage map on the official Tour de France website.

– If you use mapping apps or GPX files, you can plan precise stopping points.

– Roads are often closed well in advance of the riders (sometimes hours before), so plan where you will park and walk to your viewing spot.

– Arrive early — crowds build fast, especially near the finish.

– Pack food, water and a folding chair if you plan to wait.

– Local navettes (shuttle buses) and park-and-ride services often operate on race day — check town tourism sites.

– Expect full road closures near summit finishes.